How to shake hands

In business, the battle for the first impression is won or lost on a handshake – here’s how to make sure you emerge victorious

Shaking hands is easy – it’s doing it well that causes problems. Rubbish Magazine’s (rubbishmag.com/tv) etiquette experts employ the Pyramid of Power: an inverted pyramid, with the shakers’ heads at the top corners. As you go in for first contact, thumbs should be kept pointed up, little fingers down, wrists straight. Don’t squeeze, but don’t go floppy. Maintain eye contact as you shake once, twice, then release. Some use this ritual to attempt to show their superiority in a sort of modern gladiatorial combat.

The Twist
As he moves in, the antagonist rotates his wrist 45 degrees to put you in a subordinate position.

The Double Clasp
Smiling, simply add your left hand to the fray, placing it on his, sincerely, but applying firm downward pressure.

The Four Hands of Death
If your antagonist applies his own double clasp, he has lost. Politicians seldom fall for this; instead, they respond with…

The Roman Road
Once in a Double Clasp, the only way out is to grab your opponent’s right arm. There are three stages of dominant grab – the forearm, elbow and shoulder.

The Pimp Hug
Your trump card? The Pimp Hug. Simply apply a Roman Road of your own, then smoothly pull him in for a quick single-shoulder hug. You may also add a sharp slap between his shoulders, like an alpha-male silverback gorilla in trousers.